CAT Exam: The Scoring Technique & Who accepts it?

The new age students from India are keen to get admitted in management courses in reputed business schools in the country. The demand for management courses are increasing and for getting admission in MBA courses in India, the students must get good score in Common Admission Test or CAT.

CAT or Common Admission Test is a computer based examination that is conducted in India. This aspirant of this test is scored on the basis of logical reasoning, verbal and quantitative ability and data interpretation. CAT was started by The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for selection of students who want to pursue business administration programs. One of the IIMs conduct the test every year based on based on a strategy of rotation. The IITs and IISC declared to use the CAT scores as an alternative to the Joint Management Entrance Test (JMET), for selection of students to appear for the management programs from 2012-14 year.

CAT was announced to be a Computer Based Test starting from 1 May 2009. The American firm Prometric was assigned with the task of carrying out the computer based test. The initial computer based CAT was disfigured by technical complications. The problem was identified as 'W32 Nimda' and 'Conficker', the two viruses that hit the test’s system display, severely slowing down the process. With the end of the contract of the previous test agency Prometeric, conduct of CAT 2014 was undertaken by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). CAT 2014 consisted of 100 questions (50 from logical reasoning and verbal ability & 50 from data interpretation) with a time limit of 170 min.

Formats

Similar to all other large scale examination, CAT makes use of multiple versions or forms of the test. Therefore, two categories of scores are involved: a scaled score and a raw score.

The calculation of raw score for each section is based on the number of questions that are answered correctly, wrongly, or omitted. Each correct answer is allotted with +3 points and each incorrect answer with -1. The questions that are not answered are not marked. A process known as equating is then applied to adjust the raw score. The raw scores that were equated are then positioned on a metric or common scale for an appropriate score interpretation. This process is known as scaling.

Acceptance

MBA or Masters in Business

Administration gained attention of people from diverse academic areas including science, commerce and humanities. There are many exams like MAT, CAT, CMAT conducted to get admission in MBA colleges. Likewise CAT allows entry into the Indian Institute of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), IISC. Each year, the numbers of CAT aspirants are increasing. In such a circumstance it has really become difficult to qualify for CAT. Given below is some of the information that may help you to perform better:

·         A schedule must be planned and the topics must be covered based on their importance in the CAT examination. Likewise, you should answer those questions that carry high marks or those you are confident of. This descending order should be followed to tackle the questions.

·         Focus on removal of error: This helps in checking the errors including spelling or grammatical mistakes in your answer so that you can rectify. The "review button" can also be used to verify the error quotient and become aware of the questions attempted and left out.

·         If you practice hard you will definitely perform better in the CAT or any other MBA examination. It is always desirable to appear for at least three mock tests per week. This will make you well acquainted with the pattern of questions being asked for and assist you to frame up good quality answers.

·         Knowledge of plain and simple English is not enough: It is highly desirable for CAT aspirants to read and properly understand lengthy sentences on complex subject matter. The candidates must have a better knowledge on meaning of the words, idioms, sentences etc. Sometimes, about 12-13 questions are related to such things.

You must go through these vital details for a better preparation of the CAT examination. Since these are some general tips for the entrance examination, they may help you succeed the CAT or any other examination like CMAT or MAT. In addition, you must spend at least two to three months for CAT preparation, and must put extra effort as because the competition is very rigid with limited availability of seats.